🛑 Labour’s Parking Strategy U-Turn: A Victory for Public Pressure
After weeks of resistance, the Cabinet backs down — but the fight isn’t over yet
🚨 PARKING STRATEGY U-TURN 🚨
After weeks of sustained pressure from residents, councillors, business owners, and thousands of concerned voices across the district, the Labour-led Cabinet at Dover District Council has been forced into a U-turn on the immediate implementation of its widely opposed Parking Strategy.
This is a significant shift — a direct result of community action.
The Cabinet has now agreed to review the strategy. That’s a major climbdown from their original position, which was to press ahead with a plan that included:
A 40% increase in all-day parking charges
Charging in currently free rural car parks
Weak data gathering and factual errors in the supporting report
A lack of meaningful consultation with those most affected
Let’s be clear — this U-turn didn’t happen in isolation. It happened because you raised your voices.
📣 It happened because residents demanded answers.
📝 It happened because hundreds of you signed the petition.
🗣️ It happened because we stood together and called for fairness.
But while this is a major step forward, the Cabinet’s announcement of a review comes with no clear detail, no timescale, and no commitment to reverse the most damaging elements of the strategy. Public trust remains deeply shaken.
So what now?
We cannot afford to step back. We must continue to hold those in power to account and push for:
Genuine engagement with residents and businesses
A transparent and evidence-based approach
Fair and proportionate parking charges that support local high streets, not punish them
📋 Add Your Name and Keep the Pressure On
If you haven’t yet signed the petition, now is the time to do it. Every name strengthens the call for a parking strategy that works for our communities, not against them.
📝 Sign the petition here:
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/0Pyrm9CWx9
Thank you again to everyone who has supported this campaign. We’ve achieved a lot, but we are not finished yet.
Let’s keep going. please share this email with your friends, family, colleagues and everyone!